Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Kings 14:9

"And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trod down the thistle." — 2 Kings 14:9 (ASV)

The Eastern use of parables on the most solemn and serious occasions is well known and scarcely needs illustration. It is a common feature of such parables that they are not exact parallels to the case to which they are applied, but only general or partial resemblances. Hence, caution is needed in applying the individual points of the illustration.